How To Install the NVidia Driver Mandrake 10.1

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Linux has already established a reputation for being not only a very stable but also powerful Operating System. It was preferred by more technological advanced computer users and featured command line instructions in invoking specific machine actions. In order to promote the usage of this sophisticated yet robust platform, MandrakeSoft introduced in 1998 the Mandrake Linux. It was founded on the idea of creating a Linux environment that was easier to use by incorporating a graphics-based desktop environment based on its own set of utilities. Soon enough, Mandrake became the standard in functionality and accessibility for the Linux environment not only for the office but also for home computing as well. The Mandrake Powerpack also contained various hardware drivers which were installed automatically and simultaneously with the Operating System.

Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Internet connection
- Mandrake Powerpack
Step 1
First step is to download the updated graphics driver for the Linux Operating System platform from the Nvidia website.
Step 2
To install the downloaded Nvidia graphics driver in a machine running the Mandrake platform, first verify that you have been granted execute permission set. Do this by right clicking (under KDE) the file and selecting properties.
Step 3
Using the Permissions Tab set the appropriate permissions that will allow you to launch the corresponding graphics driver file.
Step 4
Type the command init 3 in the xterm and press the Enter key. This will transfer you from the graphical user interface desktop onto the command line interface.
Step 5
From the command prompt, go to the directory location of the NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-6629-pkg1.run file.
Step 6
Once in the correct directory, type the ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-6629-pkg1.run at the command line and press the Enter key. This should allow the script to automatically execute the installation process.
Step 7
Upon completion of the procedure, type in the command startx and press the Enter key. This will bring you back to the graphical user interface desktop.
Step 8
Since the driver has been installed but not yet loaded, go to the /etc/X11/ directory location and look for the XF86Config or XF86Config-4 file.
Step 9
Open the kwrite application to edit this file. This program also automatically creates a backup file providing for a way to revert to the original file if necessary. Navigate to the Section 'Module' and verify that it states Load 'glx'.
Step 10
Look in the Section 'Device' and modify the value of Driver from 'nv' to 'nvidia'. Make sure that the values are typed in lower case to avoid any potential problems.
Step 11
Restart X to implement all the changes made to the system configuration. Test 3D acceleration feature after computer reboot. This should complete the Nvidia graphics driver installation.